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EuroCup Women

Renowned as a competition which has provided the platform for some of the best players in the women’s game to burst onto the scene, EuroCup Women is the second tier tournament for women’s clubs in Europe – behind EuroLeague Women.

Witnessing a larger number of participating clubs than its sister competition, EuroCup Women traditionally has even more nations represented.

It certainly reaches every far corner of the continent – its appealing inclusiveness having seen teams take part from the Azores Islands in the North Atlantic Ocean to some of the most Easterly regions of Russia.

Launched in 2002-03, Aix-en-Provence took the distinction of being crowned the first ever winners.

The first three editions were in a Final Four format, but ever since Sparta&K M.R. Vidnoje side lifted the trophy as a prelude to conquering EuroLeague Women four times in a row, the Final has been played over two-legs.

Sparta&K’s domestic derby rivals WBC Dynamo Moscow have won the most EuroCup Women titles, with three crowns to their name.

Racking up their maiden success in 2007, Dynamo went on to secure back-to-back titles in 2013 and 2014 – the first of which was one of the most memorable the competition has ever seen as the Russians took down Kayseri Kaski Spor in a dramatic late twist in front of a record-breaking crowd of 11,000 on the road in Turkey.

The eclectic feel of EuroCup Women has also been reflected in the diversity of those who have topped the podium down its relatively short history.

Five different nations provided a winner in the five Finals between 2008 and 2012 - with Beretta-Famila Schio [Italy], Galatasaray [Turkey], Sony Athinaikos [Greece], Elitzur Ramla [Israel] and Dynamo Kursk [Russia] all taking turns to be holders for a year.

Many clubs have also used EuroCup Women as a stepping stone towards the direction of EuroLeague Women, with Galatasaray harvesting silverware in both competitions - as did Sparta&K.

The 2015 EuroCup Women Final saw first-time entrants Castors Braine of Belgium make it all the way to the Final – only to lose to Villeneuve d’Ascq as Ann Wauters helped break the hearts of her compatriots.

Wauters is just one of many of the biggest names in the women’s game to have played in the competition - one which continues to intrigue, excite and provide a real allure for clubs – with no fewer than 33 entering the fray for the 2015-16 edition, reflecting the popularity of EuroCup Women.